Graduation

Graduation is a much anticipated milestone in anybody's life.  For me graduation came 26 years after I had begun.  This past May I graduated Cum Laud from WTAMU with a Bachelor's degree in Education.  My specific degree plan is geared towards special education EC-12.  As the time drew closer it became harder to comprehend that the end was coming, some things were just a blur.  I planned on attending the special ring ceremony offered by the Buff Alumni Association - I highly recommend attending such an event because it is a nice send-off and usually free!  I also had y graduation party the day before the actual ceremony because of Mother's Day following graduation day.

On Saturday, May 10, 2014 the spring graduates gathered at the campus coliseum for the evening ceremonies.  I panicked because I could not find my name!  Apparently if you use your maiden name or an additional name you will be placed in a different spot.  I was found under the "h" section because of my maiden name.  Once I was calmed down and filled out my picture card I was ready to breathe.  The processional was awesome!  It was awesome because I personally knew the organist and soloist who were part of the ceremonies.  Once seated the silly pictures began and the nervousness was still present.  Then came the time when you ascend to the stage, your name is properly announced, and you pause... take a deep breath and in slow motion your eyes are focused on that paper and shaking hands with the President of the University.  That moment will be one of my highlights in this journey.  As my name was called I could hear people all over yelling from family and friends!  Whew!  I did it!  I got to hug most of my professors during the recessional and it was awesome!

After all of the excitement there was still work to be done.  Job applications to be filled out, interviews scheduled, clothes in order, lesson plans printed and placed in a folder for potential employers, and so on.  It's not always easy for first year teachers to find a job.  Several people who studied in one area changed their minds and took jobs in other areas after taking certification tests (that's another soapbox blog moment).  This is the hardest part...waiting for the call!  Luckily my faith kept me in check and I interviewed with a school I hadn't looked at and quite honestly I had hoped to stay with my school district I was already employed.  Earlier this month I accepted a job in a small town outside of my hometown and I am so excited to be a part of this district!  Most things I was taught in school I will put into motion and how exciting to learn even more new things.

Now I leave you with one last piece of advice... take a moment to write thank you cards to your professors!  That is a big thing I learned from one of my methods classes - thank your college/university professors.  Rarely do they get recognized by students and all teachers know how good it feels to be thanked for doing their job.  Future teachers I promise you it will be a good thing to do because you never know how connected people are, who might refer you to a school district, or who might not recommend you for a job!  Be thankful!